World Rugby Introduces New Three-Level SVNS Model

Shaped through stakeholder consultation and evaluation of the sporting landscape, the new structure introduces a devolved, three-division hosting model that expands the Series from 10 to 13 events in 2026.

HSBC SVNS Division 1 will see core team numbers reduce from 12 to eight per gender in a six-tournament Series, with all events adopting a two-day format – enabling more agile, cost-effective delivery while elevating competitiveness, fan interest and broadcast value.

The model responds to the shifting sports and media landscape, while preserving a clear, season-long pathway from regional qualification through to the SVNS World Championship Series, offering emerging nations the opportunity to rise to the top within a single year.

KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW HSBC SVNS MODEL:

THREE-DIVISION REGULAR SEASON –

Division 1 – Eight Men’s and eight Women’s teams compete in six high-impact SVNS Series events

Division 2 – Six teams per gender compete in a Second Division across three events

Division 3 – A standalone Challenger event with eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions

Season finale to determine World champions: Three blockbuster SVNS World Championship Series events with the top 12 Men’s and Women’s teams (eight from Division 1, four from Division 2)

Integrated tournaments with equal participation fees and representation for Men’s and Women’s teams

Defined progression pathway: Teams can advance from regional qualifiers to global Championship contention in a single season

Expanded calendar: 13 tournaments across the HSBC SVNS 2026 campaign, delivering more opportunity and exposure

The eight teams battling it out at the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles this weekend will form the HSBC SVNS Division 1 teams for the 2026 Series.

Both the Ireland Men’s and Women’s teams are competing in the SVNS Play-Off tournament in LA, as the teams ranked ninth to twelfth in HSBC SVNS 2025 are joined by the top four ranked sides from the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series.

The teams that finish with final rankings of 9th-12th from the LA Play-Off tournament will qualify for SVNS 2, in the 2025/26 season.

Teams that finish with final rankings of 13th-16th will start their 2025/26 Sevens season journey through their respective Sevens regional qualifier competitions.

Sevens continues to drive global growth, especially among youth, women, and emerging nations, with record attendance and engagement at Paris 2024, and a legacy of success since its Olympic debut at Rio 2016, unlocking vital National Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity funding that was previously unavailable for rugby.

World Rugby Sevens General Manager Sam Pinder commented: “World Rugby is firmly committed to the success of Sevens on the road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games, and is investing £10 million annually into the SVNS, a large proportion into team participation fees.

“This evolved model provides greater certainty for Unions with more events, increased competitiveness, greater pathway opportunities than ever before and most crucially, a financially sustainable event ecosystem which provides a clear pathway for the future for international Sevens.

“While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet.

“We are grateful for all the engagement throughout an extensive stakeholder consultation process, and now look ahead to an exciting future for the short format of the sport.”

A global host tender process will launch this month as the next phase of implementation begins.

This season’s HSBC SVNS World Championship and Play-Off tournament take place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles across Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please visit www.svns.com.